Our latest episode is with Dr Paul Mansell. Paul is an expert on the psychology of stress in sport, having conducted a PhD focused on just that. Since then, Paul has taken up a role as a lecturer in sport and exercise psychology at Staffordshire University. Interestingly, Paul is also a podcast host, heading up ‘The Performing Under Pressure Podcast’. On the pod Paul chats to former professional footballers and other high-level performers about how they view and cope with pressure in their field. 

On this episode we talk about stress, nerves, and pressure. We share our opinions on how we view these feeling and how we may support athletes to understand them better, to benefit both wellbeing and performance.

Other highlights include learning more about Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Paul’s current and future research projects and the future of ‘The Performing Under Pressure Podcast’.

Learn more about Paul and his pod by visiting the links below.

The Performing Under Pressure Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2UVgbxrwlSJKHax8CmsDOc?si=6aaaf927663343c2

Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paul-mansell-94ab9113b/

 Talking Points

1. Intro and welcome to the pod (00:00)

2. Paul’s experience in sport growing up (3:35)

3. First interests in psychology of stress (5:10)

4. Is being stressed a bad thing? (10:30)

5. ‘Stress Mindset’ (14:40)

6. Challenge vs Threat Mindset (22:49)

7. Wellbeing and Performing Under Pressure (31:02)

8. REBT to support athletes with stress (39:00)

9. Personal strategies to cope with stress (52:30)

10. The ‘Performing Under Pressure Podcast’ (59:48) 

11. Closing thoughts (1:07:55)